Oil-can protector



May 11 1926. 1,584,403

G. A. SHIELDS v OIL cm PROTECTOR Filed May 15 1923 Patented May 11, 1926.

UNITED STATES GEORGE A. SHIELDS, OF SAN RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA.

OIL-CAN PROTECTOR.

Application filed May 15, 1923. Serial No. 639,152.

This invention aims to provide a novel means whereby an oil can will right itself, automatically, when the oil can is tipped over so that the spout of the can rests on a support.

It is within the province of the disclosure to improve generally and to enhance the utility of devices of that type to which the invention appertains.

With the above and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that, within the scope of what is claimed, changes in the precise embodiment of the invention shown can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 shows in elevation an oil can equipped with the device formingthe subject matter of this application; Figure 2 is a top plan, and Figure 3 is a view wherein the oil can is shown in tilted position.

The numeral 1 marks an oil can com-- prising a body 2 and a spout 3. The spout 3 may or may not have a laterally deflected end 4:.

The device includes a transverse fulcrum member 5. The part 5 is called a fulcrum member because the can 1 can tilt upon it, from the dotted line position of Figure 3 to the solid line position of that figure. The member 5 may also be alluded to as a prop or support, because of the obvious function it has when the can is in the solid line position of Figure 3. The fulcrum member 5 may be in the form of a solid disk, or otherwise, and may be mounted on any desired part of the oil can 1. As shownin the drawings, however, the :fulcrum member comprises a spider 6, the hub 7 of which is mounted on the spout 3 at a point adjacent to the body 2, there being arms 8 and 9 radiating from the hub 7 the arms being connected at their outer ends, as shown at 10 with a rim or ring 11 which, as shown, is in the form of a circle.

Assume that the oil can is in the position shown in solid line in Figure 3 of the draw ings, the periphery of the body 2 and the rim 11 of the fulcrum member 5 resting on a support 12. Suppose that the oil can is tilted, until the end of the spout 3 rests on the support 12, then, the center of mass of the body 2 and its contents will be so disposed with respect to the point of contact between the rim 11 and the support 12 that the body 2 will gravitate back into the solid line position of Figure 3, thereby preventing the oil from flowing out of the spout 3.

It is to be observed that the arm 9 is larger and heavier than the arms 8. The arm 9, is made useful for the reception of advertising material and the like, but the arm, 9 has an added mechanical. function. Assuming that the can 1 rests on the support 12 as shown in solid line in Figure 3, the arm 9, acting as a counterweight, will tend to cause the can 1 to rotate about an axis represented by the axis of the spout 3 until the laterally inclined end 4: of the spout 3 projects upwardly, oil being pre vented from running out of the spout, even though the body 2 be filled completely with oil. The inclined end 4 of the spout 3 and the arm 9 project in opposite directions from the axis of the spout 3 and, therefore, the part 9 and the end 4: of the spout will cooperate, as and for the purpose set forth.

The member 5 serves as a guard which prevents the fingers of the persons handling the can from being engaged in machinery whilst the machinery is being lubricated. Since the member 5 includes the ring 11, the oil can may be hung up on a nail or hook when not in use.

That is claimed is 1. In a device of the class described, an oil can comprising a body, and a spout hav ing an inclined end; a prop of approximately circular form, mounted on the can at a point intermediate the ends of the can, and a weight mounted on the prop, e ternally of the body and independently of the body, the weight being so located on the prop as to cause the inclined end of the spout normally to beturned upwardly when the can rests on said prop. I

2. A device of the class described, constructed as set forth in claim 1, and further characterized by the fact that the prop embodies a marginal ring, and a spider having arms which are connected at their outer ends to the ring, one of the arms of the spider being enlarged to form the weight.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixed my signature.

GEORGE A. SHIELDS. 

